February 10, 2015

At 6:45 a.m., the temperature was 23 C, with a moderate wind of 6 knots and a blue sky with a ring of thin fluffy clouds around the horizon.  The waves were calm as we approached St. John’s harbour.  We docked in St. John’s, Antigua harbour as we ate breakfast in the Oceanview Café on Deck 14.  Antigua is the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands and is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. The island has a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef, a perfect place to hide a fleet. In 1784, the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and establishing Britain's most important Caribbean base.

At breakfast we watched the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas dock between us and the MSC Musica.  Before the tours left the Costa Mediterranea had also docked. I realized as we were leaving the stateroom that I had forgotten to recharge my camera.  It only took one picture before it stopped working.  Today’s photos are all from Larry’s camera.

Our tour group of 19 people was driven in a mini-bus through St. John’s along a major paved roadway, one lane in each direction. Our guide was Dorina. The country’s name is pronounced An-tee-gah. Their currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar of which 2.6 equal $1 US. Gas is $6 per gallon.  Antigens drive in the left side of the road. We passed villages on the way, saw some breathtaking views and passed ruins of sugar factories, which were usually built on top of hills, since they were powered by wind. We passed the Sir Vivien Richards Cricket Stadium and churches.  Anglican is the majority religion on Antigua. At the intersection of three parish boundaries was built the Tyrell Roman Catholic church. Further on is an Anglican church built 1890 from brick and a local greenish stone. We passed another ruined sugar factory and the 8 meter doorway was pointed out. It was in order for the camels to bring in the sugar cane.  There are date palms on the island planted for the dates to be a food source for the camels.  The camels did not work out well, since they function is dry conditions and even a little rain rots their hooves and they die. Sugar production ended over 200 years ago.

Our first stop, after a gradual uphill drive, was at the Blockhouse ruins with a great view of ocean and a major defensive position in the past.  A short distance away was the second stop at Shirley Height’s Lookout where we could view English Bay, the protected natural harbour, and Falmouth Harbour where a British Naval Base was located in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, before the steam era. It was the headquarters of the British Navy fleet of the Leeward Islands.  The naval dockyard was once the home of the British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars and served as the headquarters of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson from 1784 to 1787. He was temporary Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands. We also had a good view of neighbouring Galleon Bay. The final stop was 45 minutes at Nelson’s Dockyard’s National Park at English Bay.  It is the restoration started in the 1950s of the ruins of the British Naval Yards and the buildings have marine based businesses, gift shops, marinas and restaurants. It is also a hurricane refuge due to its protected location. The shipyard was established in 1725; called St Helena dockyard with barracks and the storage and repair buildings were gradually added. In 1906 after years of disuse it was given to the government of Antigua. There was an area of over a dozen rebuilt 4 meter high pillars which would have had a wooden boat house and sail loft built in them. Nelson's Dockyard is being completely restored, being the only Georgian dockyard in the world. Everyone was back to the bus on time for our 30 minute drive back to the ship.  We saw a lot of Antigua’s country side and were back to the ship before noon. Steps 5,682.

We had lunch in the Oceanview Café on Deck 14 reading the four page daily Canadian news bulletin. Then we did an update of today’s blog before going into town for a look around.  The temperature at 1 p.m. was 29 C, 3 to 8 knot NE to SE winds and sunny with a few clouds. We walked to the end of the pier and then along the boardwalk into the downtown area, about 800 metres. We walked along the main shopping street where thousands of people from the other three ships were also browsing.  The sun was hot, but the stores were air conditioned and in the shade. Then returned to ship and each ordered a cool Iglu beverage and read on the Deck 5 verandah in the shade for several hours before getting ready for dinner. My throat gets sorer during the day from deep coughs which are becoming slightly less frequent.  Steps 11,376

We danced to the Eclipse orchestra ensemble in the Grand Foyer, until 6 and joined our table. Appetizers were Seafood Crepe or Leek and Potato Vichyssoise, then Waldorf Chicken salad or New England clam chowder followed by entrées of Pork Schnitzel with German potato salad. I had no wine as it burns my throat just now.  For dessert, we enjoyed a chocolate éclair with a light cream cheese filling.  Back to the room to work on the blog and organize today’s photos. Then went for a night cap.  Steps for the day 13.280.